Dear Sisters and Brothers,As you will know from the employer’s reaction to some of our bargaining updates, it is time for a neutral third party to get involved and help us move the bargaining process forward. This is a natural part of the bargaining process and can be initiated by either side. Consequently, we have applied for a process under the Ontario Labour Relations Act (OLRA) known as conciliation. Conciliation will be our next phase of bargaining. When a union and an employer cannot reach settlement at the table on their own, which is the case here, either party can ask that a conciliator appointed by the Ministry of Labour attend bargaining to try and help each side reach a settlement.We are attempting to schedule our next bargaining dates with the conciliator recently appointed by the Ministry of Labour. Those dates are likely to fall near the end of April or early May. Given that we are entering this phase, there are other scenarios that we must consider, and prepare for, as a group. At any point in the conciliation period the union or the employer can request what is called a “no-board report” if they believe that negotiations are at an impasse. Once the no-board has been requested it is usually filed by the Ministry of Labour within three-five business days. It will then be issued to the union and the employer. Seventeen days from the receipt of the no-board, both sides will be in a legal strike or lockout position. This does not mean that a strike or lockout automatically occurs after 17 days, it just means that either side has the option. No matter which side has requested the no-board, once the deadline has passed either side can declare a legal work stoppage. Of course, we hope that it will not come to this, but we want to make sure everyone understands the process as we move forward. The bargaining committee still believes that we can reach a deal that works for both sides with the help of a conciliator, but we must prepare for the possibility of job action. To that end, we are in the process of organizing strike prep training for local union members. Please watch for further communications of those dates when they are set. If you are interested in being on the strike committee and/or in attending the strike training, please email Recording Secretary Katie Carpe at cupelocal54@gmail.com.A strike or lockout is not imminent, but the earlier we can prepare for the possibility, the better position we will be in to support our bargaining committee. In solidarity,Your bargaining committee

This is to inform everyone that an important General Membership Meeting will take place at the Ajax Community Centre on Thursday March 8th in the Admirals Room at 5 pmWe will be Nominating and Electing a Mobilization Team. More information will follow.Hope to see everyone

Membership Meeting March 8th 5pm

Members of Local 54,As you are aware, we have been meeting with the employer to negotiate a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Today was the ninth-time meeting, doing our very best to negotiate an agreement that is fair for both parties. This has and remains our goal. Unfortunately, today, the Union was left with no other choice but to file for conciliation. This decision was not taken lightly or made in haste. We feel as though the employer has left us no other choice.From the very beginning the Union has been committed to listening to our members, bringing forth the issues you told us were most important, all the while making sure we were being fair and respectful to the employer and the process. We do not feel as though the employer is showing the union or the process the same respect.The union has made considerable movement from our original position, we do not feel as the employer is making similar movement. They are refusing to allow us to further our position on items that are of no financial cost to the employer, as well they have completely removed proposals that we were very close on, stating they will deal with it in another way, specifically quoting corporate policies. At one point the employer would not even sit with us to deliver their latest proposals, they just handed it through the door and said it would be self explanatory. This is frustrating to say the least, which is why we made the decision to file for conciliation.What the employer is offering is not in line with what other municipalities in the area have successfully negotiated. Still, they do not seem to be looking at what our priorities are with respect.We will continue to keep you updated and will see the process through with the same resolve we started with. With the support of our members behind us we will be successful.

Just wanted to update the membership with respect to the announcement by the Town that the benefits provider is changing to Sun Life effective January 1st. The Town has the legal right to switch the employee benefit provider. Vice President Lorrie Neuman and myself met with Nicole Prosper,Fay Calliste and our new Benefits and Compensation Specialist Will Campbell on November 28th. reviewing line by line the details of the Sun Life policy. All our coverage remains the same.There are some differences in the Reasonable and Customary (R&C) coverage between Great West Life and Sun Life.

It is our recommendation that members printtheir coverage historyand any drug claims from 2017 (for any drugs that are recurring). We alsorecommend that employees keep a copy of any predetermination notices. Once the switch is made to Sun Life, we will not have access to the Great West Life website to see the history of our claims. We need employees to have proof that Great West Life was covering their drugs if Sun Life suddenly denies coverage. Likely the area that will have the greatest number of issues is the drug benefits. Also, it should be noted that all balances where there is a lifetime maximum will transfer from Great West Life to Sun Life. We don’t start back at $0 for any benefit that has a running total. This includes eye wear and dental.

Once the switch to Sun Life occurs any issues should be brought to the attention of Will Campbell 905-619-2529 extension 3378.The Town is responsible for ensuring that the switch to Sun Life is seamless. If the Town refuses to correct the problem, that is when the issue is brought to the attention of the Executive.